Listeria-Infected Caramel Apples Attributed To Several Deaths
By Laurel Maloy, contributing writer, Food Online
Listeriosis illnesses could still be incubating in people who consumed commercially-prepared, pre-packaged caramel apples
The most current information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has attributed 28 illnesses and four deaths to caramel apples. The apples in question are commercially-prepared, pre-packaged, and sold in retail establishments across the nation. The Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) outbreak, also commonly referred to as Listeriosis, involves 10 states to date. MO and NM have seen five cases, AZ, TX, and MN four cases, WI two cases, and CA, NC, UT, and WA have each seen one case. An unprecedented 92.9 percent of the infected have been hospitalized for this illness, while the death toll is also unusually high in relation to the number of outbreaks. Four deaths have been directly attributed to this outbreak, while one death is still being investigated.
More than 80 percent of the 18 people that have been interviewed by authorities have reported eating commercially-prepared caramel apples, which has led to this recall. Erring on the side of caution, the CDC is recommending that U.S. consumers avoid eating any pre-packaged caramel apples, including those with added toppings, such as nuts or sprinkles. Consumers are not being cautioned about eating caramel — and at this time, there does not seem to be a link between this outbreak and a recall by Dole earlier this month that involved fresh products prepared with Gala apples. However, the source of the outbreak has not been definitively identified either.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reports all of its cases were hospitalized, with two people dying from the infection. MN has also identified which establishments and brands were involved, the result of patient interviews. The pre-packaged caramel apples were purchased at Cub Foods, Kwik Trip, and Mike’s Discount Foods. The brands are Carnival and Kitchen Cravings, both of which are no longer on store shelves, though MN authorities are concerned they may still be in consumers’ households.
MO, which has had five cases and is reporting one death. However, the cause of death is not listed as being related to Listeria. MO’s cases all occurred in the eastern or northeastern parts of the state, the caramel apples being purchased at Schnucks, Dierbergs, Super Value, and Shop N Save.
The illnesses have all occurred between October 15 and November 26, though more illnesses are possible due to the fact Listeria can incubate for up to 70 days after infection before symptoms appear. Listeria is a prolific and far-reaching foodborne pathogen and is considered the third-most costly in the U.S. due to its high rate of hospitalization. That said, Listeria infections are preventable. Some of the smallest “mom and pop” food producers are utilizing on site, on shift Listeria detection tests. With the number of detection products on the market and the relatively short time to results (28 to 48 hours), it is hard to justify not protecting the consumer by enhancing in-plant Listeria detection.
According to the FDA, hot dogs, lunch meats, and unpasteurized dairy foods are at the highest risk for harboring the Listeria pathogen. This includes those foods made from unpasteurized-milk products, such as Brie, queso blanco, and Roquefort. Refrigerated pâtés, meat spreads, and refrigerated, smoked seafoods can also carry the pathogen. Fresh fruit is also a source of contamination for Listeria.
Additionally, the FDA says Listeria is able to grow under refrigeration, where many other pathogens cannot. It is also true that it can survive for years on processing equipment and can be resuscitated even when heat- or freeze-injured. Quick, on-site detection will not only prevent this potentially-deadly pathogen from reaching the consumer, but can more-quickly detect where the infection may be harboring. Regular, on-shift listeria testing along the production line can save thousands of dollars in down time and sanitization. It also demonstrates corporate responsibility, something the average consumer takes note of. McDonald’s recently capitalized on the consumers’ need-to-know mindset and opened its plants to news cameras. The overall reaction from the consumer was “Yay McDonald’s!” It left the buying public wanting more of the same.